pianist
UK: ˈpiːənɪst | US: ˈpiːənɪst
n. a person who plays the piano, especially professionally.
pianist = piano<musical instrument> + ist<person who practices>
- piano: Derived from Italian "piano," short for "pianoforte" (soft-loud), referring to the instrument's dynamic range.
- ist: A suffix of Greek origin via Latin "-ista," denoting a person associated with a skill or profession.
Etymology Origin:
The word "pianist" emerged in the early 19th century, combining "piano" (from the Italian "pianoforte") with the agent suffix "-ist." The piano itself was named for its ability to produce both soft ("piano") and loud ("forte") sounds, and "-ist" logically extended to label performers of the instrument. This follows a pattern seen in other musician terms (e.g., "violinist").
The renowned pianist performed a breathtaking concerto at the concert hall.
As a child, she dreamed of becoming a concert pianist.
The jazz pianist improvised brilliantly during the solo.
He practiced diligently to refine his skills as a classical pianist.
The young pianist won first prize in the international competition.